Eakins, yes, "Gun Show/Next Exit" was originally going to be the name of the route.

But some thought that was too, I dunno, provincial , or some big .45-cal. hollow-point word like that. Then we noticed the "Forever West" part of the sign. And it was thought that "Forever West" was gentler, cozier, and so would have more appeal among dude-ranch riders from mid-Atlantic regions.

Really, though, we sort of backed our way into calling it Forever West just because it embraces the feeling one gets in these parts, and the route was just a thing among ADV friends. But that moniker is closely tied to Wyoming.

As the route has gained rapidly in popularity, it seemed wrong to continue borrowing Wyoming's well-established promotional theme. Heart of the West Adventure Route better reflects the scale of this route, which is about immersing oneself in Western landscapes and history. So I've changed the name to that.

It has to be noted that Dockingpilot led the first group to travel the entire route in a single trip. And at that time it was new route, waiting to be tested by experienced riders with a keen eye for what works, and what doesn't. He also did a great deal of work researching the South Pass segment, and has made important post-ride contributions to refining the route -- all from the bridge of a supertanker he was parallel parking in NY Harbor.